National Maritime Center Updates on Government Shutdown

The U.S. National Maritime Center today issued its fourth update on actions it is taking to mitigate the impact the partial government shutdown and lapse in appropriations has on U.S. mariner credentialing.  

The shutdown, now in its 34th day, has meant that all Regional Exam Centers (RECs) are closed, customer service is suspended, examinations and REC appointments are cancelled, applications are on hold, and REC appointment calendars are closed, until the shutdown is over. The full update is posted below and you can download the full letter here: 

Mitigation Efforts Due to Lapse in Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations and Partial Government Shutdown

To mitigate the impact caused by the partial lapse in appropriations and shutdown of National Maritime Center (NMC) operations, the following updated actions are being taken:

• Merchant Mariner Credentials (MMC) (National Endorsements only) and Medical Certificates that expire in December 2018, January 2019, or February 2019 are extended as valid until April 30, 2019. Print the attached letter and carry it with your credential.
• Additional Information (AI) letters, sent to mariners that expire in December 2018, January 2019, or February 2019 are extended to April 30, 2019.
• Approval to Test (ATT) letters and mariner training course certificates that expire in the months of December 2018, January 2019, or February 2019 are extended until April 30, 2019.
• For mariners whose 90-day testing cycles were interrupted by Regional Exam Center (REC) closures (starting on December 26, 2018), the days the RECs were closed will not count against the 90-day period. REC appointment calendars will be re-opened immediately once appropriations are restored.

The NMC understands the partial shutdown may affect our industry customers and stakeholders and we apologize for any potential inconvenience.

If you have questions, visit the NMC website, or contact the NMC Customer Service Center by using the NMC online chat system, by e-mailing [email protected], or by calling 1-888-IASKNMC (427-5662).

Sincerely,

/K. R. Martin/

Kirsten R. Martin Captain, U.S. Coast Guard Commanding Officer

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